President for life: APC Chieftain Knocks El-Rufai for Comparing President Tinubu to Paul Biya

By Our Reporter

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. George Agbakahi, has described as malicious and baseless, insinuations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could become a “president for life” similar to Cameroon’s long-serving leader Paul Biya.

Agbakahi, a South-East leader of the Tinubu Support Organization and a vocal defender of the current administration, said the comparison was historically inaccurate and politically motivated ahead of Nigeria’s next presidential election cycle.

Background to the Controversy

The comments attributed to El-Rufai reportedly originated from a September 2025 meeting with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, where the former governor allegedly warned that President Tinubu could attempt to remain in power indefinitely if the opposition failed to unite before the 2027 elections.

The presidency has since dismissed the allegation as “baseless and absurd.”

Agbakahi’s Response

In a statement addressing the controversy, which was made available to Journalists in Abuja, weekend, Agbakahi argued that Tinubu’s political history contradicts any suggestion that he could emulate Biya, who has governed Cameroon since 1982.

He pointed to Tinubu’s involvement in the pro-democracy movement of the 1990s, particularly within the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which opposed the military regime of Sani Abacha and advocated for the restoration of civilian rule following the annulled 1993 Nigerian presidential election.

According to Agbakahi, Tinubu’s activism during that period — which included self-exile — places him among figures who fought for democratic governance in Nigeria.

He also referenced comments previously made by activist and senator Shehu Sani claiming El-Rufai was not a frontline participant in the struggle against military rule and instead held advisory roles during the administration of former military leader Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Apart from being an adviser, El-Rufai was similarly doing contract with the military regime of Gen Sani Abacha, Dr. Agbakahi alleged.

Policy and Governance Claims

Agbakahi further argued that Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated a commitment to federalism and institutional reforms since taking office in 2023. 

He cited policy initiatives such as efforts to strengthen local government autonomy, increased fiscal allocations to subnational governments through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and proposals supporting state policing.

He also highlighted broader reforms under the administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the unification of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, and new initiatives in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and technology development.

The APC Chieftain gave a historical definition of President Tinubu as a leader whose very foundation was built on the struggle for freedom, making recent comparisons to “sit-tight” leaders like Paul Biya, who has reigned for over 40 years as not only historically absurd but a direct insult to a man who spent his life fighting such systems and to the peace-loving people of Nigeria who are the direct beneficiaries. 

Beyond all the political noise, according to him, it is evident that the "Renewed Hope" agenda is delivering tangible results

"Tinubu is demonstrating the steady hand of a statesman focused on structural fixes. While the initial reforms were seemingly painful, the results—including a record trade surplus of $13.17 billion, a lower inflation rate of 15.10%, food inflation of 8.89%, increased foreign reserves of $50 billion, and a significantly reduced debt-service-to-revenue ratio—suggest a country that is finally turning the corner toward sustainable economic growth and prosperity," he asserted.

Politics of 2027

The statement also linked El-Rufai’s criticism to ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections. Agbakahi alleged that some opposition actors are using public criticism to gain political advantage.

El-Rufai has recently been associated with activities within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which some analysts believe could serve as a platform for opposition coalitions.

Agbakahi additionally referenced allegations of financial misconduct against the former Kaduna governor, noting that investigations and legislative probes in Kaduna State remain part of the broader political backdrop.

He said, "It’s fascinating to observe how the timing of these critiques aligns with the legal pressures facing the critics themselves. When a public figure is grappling with a N423 billion corruption probe by their own state's assembly, as is the case with El-Rufai, it becomes difficult to view their "moral" outbursts as anything other than a strategic distraction. 

"This is nothing but a classic political maneuver: creating a loud narrative shift to drown out the quiet, methodical progress of a silent achiever who has not only earned the admiration and support of Nigerians but has also demonstrated through his leadership that he most definitely deserves an additional four-year term come 2027".